Spark-igniting mechanism for explosive-engines.



P-ATENTED JAN. 27,1903.

C. G. ANNBSLEY. SPARK IGNITING MEUHANVISM POR BXPLOSIVE E NGINES.

APPLIQATION FILED SEPT,l 13, 1901'.

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PATENTED JAN. v27', 1903. C. G. ANNESLEY.` SPARK IGNITING MECHANISM FOREXPLOSIVE E APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 13, 1901.

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o. G. ANNBsL-EY. Y SPARK IGNITING MEGHANISM POR EXPLOSIVE E NGINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEYT. 13, 1901.

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N0 MODEL.

PATENTED JAN. 27, 1903.

v o. G. ANNESLBY. SPARK IGNITING MEGHANISM FOR BXPLOSIVE ENGINES.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 13, 1901.

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ilnirrnn Arent OFFICE.

CHARLES G. ANNESLEY, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE BUFFALOGASOLINE MOTOR COMPANY,` OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, A

CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SPARK-IGNITING MECHANISNI FOR EXPLOSlVE-ENGINES.

.SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 719,072, dated January27, 1903.

Application filed September 18, 1901. Serial No. 75,274. KNO model.)

'b tu whom '11m/y conceive:

Be it known that LGHARLES G. ANNnsLEY, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of NewYork, have invented new and useful Improvements in Spark-IgnitingMechanism for Explosive-Engines, which improvements are fully set forthin the following specification and accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to explosive-engines, and more particularly to thesparking device and the speed-regulating mechanism which I have shownapplied to an engine having four cylinders, each provided with a piston,electric-circuit wires being also provided and connected to theelectrodes, two of which are provided for each cylinder, said electrodesbeing operated to produce a spark at proper intervals for igniting thecompressed gas in the combustion-chamber, whereby a reciproeating motionis imparted to the pistons which are connected by piston-rods to thecrankshaft, the latter having its cranks arranged to cause the pistonsto compress the gas at different points of the revolution of thecrankshaft, the igniters being operated in proper succession to canseexplosion of the com pressed gas in eachl cylinder at the proper time.

The object of this invention is to provide an engine which can beoperated with greater economy and efiiciency, to provide igniting meanswhereby a quick and positive break is caused between the electrodes toassure an effective electric spark at the proper time, and to provideeffective and positive means whereby the electrodes can be made to sparkat different points of the piston-stroke, which causes explosion of thegas at the highest,

the lowest, or any intermediate compression,

as may be desired, thereby increasing or reducing the speed of theengine, as the case may be. p

With these and other objects inV view the invention consists of thecombination and arrangement of parts and of certain novel features ofconstruction, as hereinafter set forth, and pointed out in the appendedclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a central vertical section ofthe engine. Fig.

2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view ofa-portion ot' the engine, showing the electrodes of one piston and theadjacent step-cam. Fig. 1 is a vertical section taken on or about line 44, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a similar section taken onor about line 5 5,Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical section of the upper portion ofthe engine, taken on line 6 6, Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is an elevation of twocoacting electrodes, the engine-casing in which they are held beingshown in section. Fig. 8 is a vertical section of the oscillatingelectrode and its attached parts, taken on line 8 8, Fig. 3. Fig. 9 isan inverted view of Fig. 7. Fig. 10 is a hori- Zontal section taken online 10 10, Fig. 8,` looking up. Fig. 11 is a vertical section on anenlarged scale, taken on a planeindicated by line 11 11, Fig. 2. Fig. 12is a vertical section taken on line 12 12, Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is adetached view of the cam-shaft and the adjusting-sleeve surrounding thesame, the forked arm whereby the sleeve is shifted being shown insection. Fig. 14 is a vertical section taken on line 14 14, Fig. 1. Fig.15 isan enlarged section taken on a plane indicated by line 15 15, Fig.2. Fig. 16 isa section taken on a plane indicated by line 16 16, Fig.1i.

The novel features of this invention are shown in the drawings asembodied in or applied to a multiple-cylinder engine; but I wish to haveit understood that the invention is as well adapted to a singlecylinderengine, and by describing the invention as applied to amultiple-cylinder engine I do not wish to be understood as limitingmyself t0 suchan engine, the novel features may be applied to any of thevarious other forms of explosive-engines without departing from theessence of my invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like letters of reference refer tolike parts in the several figures.

The letter A designates the framework, which may be supported on a baseor secured to any other suitable support, and B the casing forming thecylinders b, which are sur` rounded by the usual water-jackets b'. Eachcylinder is provided with a piston C, and

ICC

each piston is connected by the usual pistonrod D to the cranks d of asingle crank-shaft D', which is journaled in the frame A in the usualmanner. Asis commonin multiplecylinder engines the cranks are disposedat different angles, and in this instance, where four cylinders andpistons are employed, the two inner cranks are set together or on thesame angle, with the outer cranks one hundred and eighty degrees tothese, the ignitions or explosions occurring in the first, second,fourth, and third lcylinder successively, starting from t'he right,thereby giving uniform movement to the crank-shaft, produced by theequalization of power applied to the different points thereof. Thebottom of the framework is provided with a trough or receptacle E,which, `with a housing of anysuitable form (not shown to betterillustrate the working parts) secured to the framework, inclosesthe'crank-shaft, piston-rods, and other working parts and allows thebearing parts to be oiled by splash lubrication. The requisite quantityof gas or gas-vapor supplied in any of the well-known ways is allowed toenter the combustion chamber through the valved inlets F, and afterhaving spent its force byignition it is discharged through theexhaust-ports F', which are also controlled by valves, as is common. Theinlet and exhaust valves are operated at the proper time by the thrustor valve rods-f, each having a forked lower end to receive afriction-roller f', which is adapted to bear against a cam G, secured tothe cam-shaft G', arranged above and parallel with the crankshaft. Thecam-shaft G' has a gear-wheel g secured to one of its ends, which mesheswith a pinion g', secured to the crank-shaft. The latter is providedwith the usual fly-wheel H at one end thereof and at its other end Withacrank for starting the engine.

Referring now to the sparking mechanism, I represents the fixedelectrode, and J the movable electrode, both of which are secured in theupper wall of the casing and project through opposite sides of the sameand each having connection with the circuit-Wires t, which lead to abattery or any other source of electric power. The fixed electrode I maybe of any common construction, and it need only be said that it passesthrough an insulating-sleeve t", arranged in the Wall of the casing, andthat it projects into the combustion-chamber, any ordinaryl way ofholding the electrode in the wall being suitable. The movable electrodeJ passes through a vertical bearing` K, which is held in the wall of thecasing, the electrode having that portion projecting inside of thecasing enlarged to form a tapering shoulder, which is seated in acorrespondingly-tapered seat formed on the inner side of the verticalbearing, thereby preventing lengthwise movement thereof in one directionand also preventing the leakage of gas between the bearing and theelectrode. It is also provided at its lower end with alaterally-projecting contact-linger j, which is adapted to be moved intocontact with the fixed electrode, producing the electric spark forigniting the gas in the combustion-chamber the instant they areseparated.

vThe vertical bearing K consists of the bearing-sleeve K', having aperipheral flange K2 at its upper end, through which the securingnuts 7cpass to securely hold the bearing in the casing. Projecting upwardlyfrom the outer face of the bearing-flange is a sleeve K3.

The under side of the bearing-flange K2 is 1 trode is thus prevented inthe opposite direction. Each operating-lever is provided with a rearwardextension k6, for a purpose hereinafter described, and adownwardly-projecting pin 707, which engages a vertical groove 768,formed in the collar 7c3, the sides of the groove acting as stops tolimit the movement thereof. One end of a trigger-spring L passes throughthe electrode J andthe collar 7c3 and projects through the latter, as atZ, it being coiled midway between its ends, and has its other endsecured to the lever K4, as at Z'. To the projecting end of thetrigger-spring L one end of a spiral spring L' is secured, whichsurrounds the sleeve K3, and is secured with its other end to thebearing K. The construction of the movable electrode and its attachedparts assures a quick and positive break of the electric circuit andproduces an instantaneous and effective spark. Then the operating-leveris moved by the step or incline on its coacting cam, as will bedescribed hereinafter, the movable electrode is forced against the fixedelectrode and the spiral spring L' is placed under full tension. Thetrigger-spring, being formed of sti wire, is next placed under tensionby the further movement of the operating-lever; but during this furthermovement the latter simply turns on the electrode J and itsdownwardly-projecting pin 707 rides in the groove 758, formed in thecollar 7c3, the said downwardly-projecting pin approaching the end ofits limited movement when the operatinglever K4 is released by theabrupt rear face of the inclined step on the cam riding under the same.This releases the trigger-spring and allows the downwardly-projectingpin k7 to return to its normal position in the groove las, after whichthe spiral spring is released, whereby the movable electrode isdisengaged from the fixed electrode. The construction of the igniterpermits the spiral spring to be I ono IIO brought under full tension,which when released, causes the movable electrode to be disengaged fromthe fixed electrode with great rapidity, thereby assuring an effectivespark. The trigger-spring mainly for the purpose of yieldingly holdingthe operating-lever of the movable electrode against the cam; but italso assists the spiral spring in separating the two electrodes.

M designates the igniter cam-shaft fitted with a pin m, which engages adiagonal or oblique slot m', formed in the slidable adjusting-sleeve M',which surrounds the said shaft. Surrounding the sleeve M' is a sleeveM2, which has a sprocket-wheel m2 formed thereon or secured thereto andtwo circumferential anges m, which bear against opposite sides of thebearing N, formed on the engine-casing,thus preventing lengthwisemovement of the outer sleeve M2. To allow the inner or adjusting sleeveto slide within the outer sleeve and to compel it to turn with the same,I provide a longitudinal groove m4 in the outer sleeve, and therein acorresponding rib is seated, said rib being formed on the periphery ofthe inner or adjusting sleeve. The latter is shifted bya forked arm m6,which engages a circumferential groove m7, formed in said sleeve. Theupper end of said arm is secured to a shifting rod O, held in the upperends of the bearings N, a handle 0 being provided at one end thereof tooperate the same. The opposite end of the gniter camshaft revolves in aflanged bearing-sleeve P, held in one of the bearings N. Secured to saidcam-shaft at points in operative relation to the operating-levers of themovable electrodes are step-cams R, which on being revolved engage theends of the said levers and actuate the electrodes.

S designates a rod which is rigidly secured in supports s, arranged onthe upper side of the casing. Adjustably secured to this rod are stopsS', having a rubber, felt, or other similar facing, against which therearward extensions 7o, formed on each operating-lever K4, bear to limitthe inward movement of the same. As the cam passes under the front endof its coacting operating-lever the springs L L' force tbe same inwardlytoward the body of the cam and the rearward extension thereof againstthe adjacent stop S', which prevents the lever from striking the bodyportion of the cam, thereby avoiding the wearing of the parts as well asthe noise and snapping of the lever against the cam.

A sprocket-wheel T is mounted loosely on the cam shaft G', around whichand the sprocket-wheel me, secured to the igniter cam-shaft, asprocket-chain t passes to revolve the latter.

A socket U is formed in the hub of the sprocket-wheel T, and therein aclutch-pin u is located. A spring u', bearing with one end against theinner end of the socket and with its other end against the inner end ofthe pin, tends to keep the latter projected. The outer end of thisclutch pin engages a curved groove V, formed in the contiguous` face ofthe gear-wheel y. This groove is arranged concentric with the cam-shaftG' and is inclined from the face of the gear-wheel inwardly to form ashoulder i: at one end, against which the clutch-pin u bears when thecrank-sb aft is revolved, thereby revolving the sprocket-wheel T in alike direction, which imparts motion to the igniter cam-shaft throughthe medium of the sprocket-chain t, sprocketwheel m2, and sleeve M2. Iffor any reason the crank-shaft is reversed` the clutch-pin u is forcedinwardly against the pressure of the spring u by the inclined rear faceof the curved groove V, formed in the gear-wheel g, which latter whenrevolved causes the said pin to bear against its contiguous face untilthe shouldered end of the groove Vis brought in line with theclutch-pin. The spring u' will force the same into the curved groove,the inclined rear face of which will force the clutch-pin inwardly, thisbeing continued as long as the crank-shaft is reversed. The purpose ofthis clutch is to prevent the reversing of the igniter cam-shaft, whichwould cause the rear or abrupt face of the cam to strike against theouter end of the operating-lever held on the movable electrode and causethe same to be broken or displaced.

The operation of the mechanism is as follows: The gas is supplied to thecombustionchamber, ignited by the electric spark, and exhausted in anymanner common to eXplosive-engines. As shown in the drawings, thecam-shaft G and the igniter cam-shaft are revolved at one-half the speedof lthe crankshaft, thereby causing the latter to make two revolutionsbefore the gas is ignited in the same combustion-chamber a second time.The step-cams are secured to the igniter camshaft and engage theoperating-levers of the movable electrodes at a predetermined Inoment,xed to the position the pistons assume in the cylinders. Assuming theshifting rod O to be at the extreme left of its movement, as shown inFigs. l and 2, the steps or inclines on the cams engage theoperating-levers of their movable coacting electrodes and ride over theabrupt rear face of the same to form a spark when the respective pistonsin the cylinders to which the electrodes are secured are at theirhighest point, or, in other Words, when the gas is compressed to itsfullest eX- tent, thus causing the engine to revolve at a high speed. Onshifting the lever O to the extreme right of its movement, as shown inFigs. 1l and 13, the :forked army m6 slides the adjusting-sleeve Mioutwardly or to the right, which through the medium of the slot m' andand pin m turns the shaft :in a direction opposite to the direction inwhich it revolves, whereby the cams secured thereon are caused to engageand operate the movable electrodes and cause an electric spark when therespective pistons in the cylinders to which the sparking electrodes aresecured are at a point IIO IZO

considerably below its innermost or highest point, or, in other words,when the gas is ata low compression.l This is of particular advantage instarting the engine and also when used on a motor vehicle or boat-as,for instance, in approaching astoppiug-place. By moving the shiftinglever to a point intermediate of these points the cams are given a.proportional lead7 and the gases ignited when compressed accordingly,thus causing the engine to increase its speed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In anexplosive-engine, the combination of a sparking device, a shaft having acam adapted to actuate said sparking device, an outer sleeve adapted tobe rotated directly by the engine, an interior adjusting-sleeve to whichthe outer sleeve is splined, said adjusting-sleeve turning with. andadapted to be shifted in the outer sleeve, and a pin projecting from theshaft and adapted to enter an inclined slot in the walls'of the interiorsleeve, all arranged so that when the adjusting-sleeve is shifted in theouter sleeve, the shaft and cam secured thereto may be turned withrespect to the adjusting and outer sleeves, whereby the relativeposition of the cam with respect to its coacting part for actuating thesparking device may be varied, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

2. An electric igniting device for gas-engines, consisting of a fixedelectrode, and an oscillating or movable electrode comprising a shaftwith acontact-finger designed to engage the fixed electrode, a collarsecured on said shaft and having stops thereon, an operatinglever heldloosely on said shaft and having a pin projecting therefrom whichtravels between said stops, a spring coiled between its ends and havingone end passing through the said shaft and collar so as to project fromthe latter, and its other end secured to the operating-lever, and aspiral spring surrounding the shaft and being secured at one end to theprojecting end of the other spring and at its other end to a fixed orimmovable point, substantially as set forth.

3. An electric igniting device for` gas-engines, comprising a fixedelectrode, and a movable or oscillating electrode having a cenyter shaftwith a contact-finger designed to engage the fixed electrode, astationary or fixed sleeve surrounding said movable electrode, a collarsecured on said center shaft and having a longitudinal groove formed inits periphery, an operating-lever held loosely on said shaft above saidycollar and having a downwardly -projecting pin which engages the saidgroove, a spring coiled between its ends and having one end thereofpassing through said shaft and collar so as to project from the latter,and its other end secured to the operating-lever, and a spiral-springsurrounding the said sleeve and being secured at one end to theprojecting end of the other spring and at its other end to a fixed orimmovable point, substantially as set forth.

4. In a gas-engine, the combination with the igniter cam-shaft having acam thereon, of two electrodes arranged 'to contact, one of saidelectrodes comprising a center shaft with a contact-finger, a stationarysleeve surrounding said center shaft, a collar held on the latter andhaving a longitudinal groove formed on its periphery, an operating-lever held loosely on said shaft above said collar and having adownwardly-projecting pin which engages the said groove, saidoperating-lever being adapted for engagement with ther cam on the saidcam-shaft, a spring coiled between its ends and having one end thereofpassing through the said shaft and collar so as to project from thelatter, and its other end secured to said operating-lever, and a spiralspring surrounding said sleeve and being secured with one end to theprojecting end of the other spring and with its other end to a fixed orimmovable point, substantially as set forth.

5. An oscillating electrode for electrical gas-igniters, comprising ashaft having a lateral contact linger and being supported againstlengthwise movements, a collar held on the shaft and having alongitudinal groove formed on its periphery, an operating-lever heldloosely on the shaft above said collar and having a projecting pinadapted for engagement with said groove, a spring coiled between itsends and having one end passing through the said shaft and collar so asto project from the latter, and its other end secured to theoperating-lever, and a spiral spring secured with one end to theprojecting end of the other spring and with its other end to a fixed orimmovable point, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHAS. G. ANNESLEY.

Witnesses:

A. SNYDER, l CHAs. F. BURKHART.

